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The Church

May 4, 2008 by Lisa Lehmann

What is “the church” to me? That was the question I was asked this morning in the place I chose to worship. A simple question? Most would say yes…but not to me. To myself, it is actually a poignant and difficult question.

In the message this morning we were brought back to the New Testament church. A church which didn’t consist of a location, but of a body. A body that took care of its own, as well as those who were needy in the community. The church was an tangible depiction of Jesus after He had ascended into the heavens. The church was meant to be, and is still meant to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
Now based on that accurate definition of what the church is supposed to be, and then relating it to what the church is specifically to me poses a very interesting discussion. If the church is to be the hands and feet of Jesus, and extension of who He is, then my view of Jesus is very misconstrued. Either that, or the church is just screwed up.
What I have experienced in the last few years as a “church”, is a group of everyday sinners hiding behind the mask of “christian”. I have experienced back stabbing, and biting. I have felt the pain of being alone in a huge group of “other believers”. I have been abandoned by those called to shepherd. I have had no one meet my needs, because no one ever cared to ask if I had any. I, and my family included, have seen…and felt…what makes most people skeptical of Christians and church in general.
The biggest irony here? My husband has worked for these so called churches! Oh yes, we have sacrificed financially, emotionally and in many other ways to serve at these places called churches. Yet we have been sorely disappointed over and over again. And really not just disappointed, but truly wounded.
So as I think of my Jesus…the One I love with all my heart and soul…the One who sacrificed everything for me…the One who the church is to emulate…I cannot emotionally afford to affiliate Him with the so-called church. If I do, I will reject Him as He has rejected me. I cannot imagine Him standing in a corner whispering about my clothing, or my height. I cannot imagine Him, not caring what financial dire straights I might be in. I cannot imagine Him, not checking in to see if my heart is heavy.
I had to walk out of the service this morning when the pastor was speaking of the many ways his church has truly been the hands and feet of Jesus. How they have reached out of their comfort zone to be and to do. Are there really churches like that? Are there really churches that Jesus pulls up a chair to join in their gathering, pleased with who they are striving to be? I really do hope so.
And I really do hope to someday be a part of community like that. One with true authenticity and integrity. One that cares for each and every person within its walls, and those outside in the surrounding community. A church that has pastors and elders not hiding behind the mask of their titles to promote their own agenda, without any thoughts of the ramifications that may follow. Spiritual abuse at its finest.
So that is my wish, my desire, my prayer – to feel the hands and feet of Jesus, and to be the hands and feet of Jesus to others. To be a part of what Paul described as THE CHURCH in Acts. I might just have to be satisfied with knowing I will be in a perfect church someday…but I will have to wait for Eternity. In the meantime? I really don’t have an answer.

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Strange, but worth noticing

April 29, 2008 by Lisa Lehmann


Okay so I have been awful at keeping up my blog! I just never want to sit myself down long enough to actually write something. So I’ll keep it short and sweet.

This is not breaking news, not informative, not emotional, possibly only funny to a handful of you. But Saturday I decided to cook the 20 lb. turkey that was in my freezer since Thanksgiving. Hey, what can I say? Someone else offered to cook the big bird back then!
Anyway, I had to run a couple “birthday errands” with my 6 year old, and I simply asked my husband to peel the potatoes for me. Easy enough. When I came home I was met with him…that “thing” in the photo above!!
We call him, Mr. Potato! Is that not the weirdest thing. My husband couldn’t even peel him, because he kept staring back at him with those beady little “eyes”  (eyes…get it?)!!
So moved by the little spud, we decided to give him his very own photo shoot….and to his dismay, he did not make it into the mash. And let me just say, I make fabulous mashed potatoes. In fact…I’ll add the recipe!
So that’s it! That was our weekend excitement! We really need to get out more 🙂
Lisa’s Fabulous Mashed Potatoes
5 lbs. potatoes, whatever kind you prefer
1 to 1-1/2 sticks of butter
5 ounces of shredded cheddar
5 (ish) ounces of sour cream
1/2 block of cream cheese
garlic salt to taste – fresh garlic crushed if you have it
1/4 cup of milk
salt & pepper to taste
– boil your potatoes until fork soft. drain. while they are draining place 1 stick of butter in the already hot pot, with milk. heat until butter starts to melt. placed drained potatoes back in the pot and add sour cream and cream cheese. mash. add cheddar cheese and garlic salt. mash! taste and see if you need more salt and add a dash of pepper. if they are too dry add a little more milk or sour cream. yum, yum, yum!
Sorry Mr. Potato, you didn’t make the cut!

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Who? What? Wear? Wednesday

April 16, 2008 by Lisa Lehmann

Who? 

I am a mom, a wife, and a jewelry artist!

What?
I was finishing up schooling my second grader, shipping out an adorable mother’s day tag necklace and then I arrived at Boutique Flair!!!
Wear?
Embarrassed to say it…but I’m in my running clothes. Because I am, really am going to run as soon as I get away from my desk!!! But after that, I’m sure I’ll be wearing something fabulous…fully accessorized!

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A New Day….

April 12, 2008 by Lisa Lehmann

So have my circumstances changed as of a new morning? No! Has my attitude? Absolutely!

I came to realize yesterday just how big my God is and how healing a cup of tea can be 🙂
As for my ramblings…did I actually believe anyone would read them and then even bother to comment? Not really. But those individuals that did were such a blessing to me. Not only did they encourage me and lift my spirits, it was a reminder of just how God really does care about my circumstances and my future.
I was forced to look at the “haves” rather than focus on the “have nots“. I HAVE a husband who loves me. I HAVE four children that are healthy and beautiful. I HAVE a home, food and clothing. I HAVE my creativity. I HAVE people in my life who care about me.
And you know what really made me smile? My dog. I know you’re thinking “not again with the dog thing”. But think of the picture of unconditional love. Selah is just there to love me. I might neglect to feed her right away when she’s hungry. I might make her wait a little too long to go out, or even step on her tail. What does she do? She comes to me wagging that same tail saying “I forgive you…just love me!”
That to me was a very visual and real reminder of who Jesus is to me and how He loves me…unconditionally!
So today my head is lifted a little higher, my smile a little brighter and my mood on the up and up. For right now, I’m sipping my coffee, snacking on fruit and granola and awaiting the arrival a friend for breakfast.
Who knew I would really need that this morning? Gee….I wonder!

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Down in the dumps? I think not!

April 11, 2008 by Lisa Lehmann

Today is Friday. Normally Friday’s excite me. It’s the day before a weekend, which to me means time with my kids, husbands home…movies, pizza etc. So enjoy Friday’s and I almost always feel creative on Friday’s.

But today is different. Today began with a chunk of bad news…news that is all too familiar. My husband had to deliver the news via phone which I know was not his first choice, but maybe it was better that way. Maybe that way he didn’t have to see my face, more specifically my eyes which really are a mirror to my soul.
The details are unimportant, at least for now, but what is worrying me is I had big plans for creating today. Big plans to dive into my studio and “play”. Now that drive is gone. My soul aches and my heart is heavy. So how do I “beat” the blues, overcome my circumstances?
As an artist many of us are moody anyway. Many of us struggle with the swings of high to low on a daily (if not hourly 🙂 basis…at least I do. But today is going to be different. I’m going to make choice and some conscience decisions…I get to be in charge.
The first thing I did is pray. I don’t know where your faith life is…or what you believe in. But for me…God has to be my first choice. He created the universe, so I think he can take care of me. I asked Him for peace, I asked Him for strength and I asked Him for direction. I’m not entitled to those things…but He does say when we ask, He will answer.
Secondly, I am writing this to all of you. I don’t “feel” like talking to anyone, out loud anyway…but this is my way of conversing, my way getting it out. And whether anyone reads this or not is really unimportant.
Thirdly, I’m going to have a cup of tea! I am a coffee die hard. I love it and often live for my cup of joe. The essence of the bean…that’s what I’m talking about. But in certain moments, certain circumstances tea is the answer. The English have been on to the therapy of tea for centuries, we just threw it overboard! 
So I will properly brew my cup of tea, enjoying the aroma and then sipping lightly….letting the delicate balance of flavor dance across my tounge. When I realize the simple pleasure a cup of tea can bring….a few leaves, some hot water…then I can put things in perspective again.
So I WILL create today. The fact that I can, that is MY gift and talent…and no matter my circumstances no bad news can take away that gift. And it is my responsibility to share that gift with others who DO appreciate it.
Thank you for allowing me to air my frustrations, for giving me the freedom to “vent”! I really do feel better. Now I’m going to go turn on the hot water, direct my focus to what is in my control and move on. God is good all the time and He’ll let me know what he has in mind for our “next”…but for now I need to go bang on some metal.
(here is the song of my heart today, the lyrics taken from Christian recording artist Chris Tomlin)

Great is Your faithfulness oh God
You wrestle with the sinner’s heart
You lead us by still waters and to mercy
And nothing can keep us apart

So remember Your people
Remember Your children
Remember Your promise
Oh God

Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough for me

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